> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tomake.design/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How It Works

> Understanding the local PDF to Figma conversion process

## 100% Local Processing

**Your privacy is our priority.** Unlike cloud-based converters, pdf.tomake.design processes everything entirely on your machine.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="No uploads" icon="ban">
    Your PDF files never leave your computer
  </Card>

  <Card title="No servers" icon="shield-halved">
    Zero data transmission over the network
  </Card>

  <Card title="Complete privacy" icon="lock">
    Perfect for sensitive and confidential files
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

All PDF parsing, rendering, and conversion happens in your browser using advanced client-side technology. This means:

* Instant processing without network delays
* No storage of your files on external servers
* No privacy concerns with confidential documents
* Works offline once the plugin is loaded

## The conversion process

pdf.tomake.design uses advanced local PDF parsing and parallel processing to convert documents into editable Figma designs. Here's what happens behind the scenes:

### 1. Local PDF analysis

When you select a PDF, the plugin (running in your browser):

* Parses the PDF structure and metadata locally
* Identifies pages and dimensions
* Detects text content and fonts
* Locates embedded images
* Analyzes vector graphics
* Maps layers and z-index

**All of this happens on your machine** — no data leaves your computer.

### 2. Parallel processing

Our optimized rendering pipeline uses parallel processing to handle multiple pages simultaneously:

* Pages are processed in parallel for blazing-fast conversion
* Complex graphics are rendered efficiently
* Multi-page documents convert quickly
* You see real-time progress as pages complete

This means even large, complex PDFs convert in seconds, not minutes.

### 3. Three conversion modes

Depending on your selected mode, the plugin converts your PDF differently:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Editable Vector Layers">
    **Best for:** Full editability and design iteration

    **The plugin:**

    * Converts PDF vectors to native Figma vector paths
    * Preserves text as editable Figma text layers
    * Extracts images as separate layers
    * Maintains hierarchy and grouping
    * Enables complete editing in Figma

    **You get:**

    * Editable text you can modify
    * Scalable vector shapes
    * Organized layer structure
    * Full Figma editing capabilities
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="High-Fidelity SVG">
    **Best for:** Exact visual appearance

    **The plugin:**

    * Renders pages to high-fidelity SVG
    * Preserves complex effects and filters
    * Maintains exact visual appearance
    * Handles special rendering accurately

    **You get:**

    * Pixel-perfect visual match
    * Complex effects preserved
    * No font matching issues
    * Ideal for logos and branding
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Rasterized Images">
    **Best for:** Speed and simplicity

    **The plugin:**

    * Rasterizes pages to high-quality images
    * Fastest conversion method
    * Smallest file size
    * Simple and reliable

    **You get:**

    * Quick conversion
    * Visual reference
    * Smallest Figma file size
    * Perfect for mood boards
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### 4. Figma integration

The converted content is organized into Figma:

* **Frames**: One frame per PDF page
* **Text layers**: Editable text (in Vector mode)
* **Images**: Embedded images as Figma fills
* **Vector shapes**: Native Figma paths (in Vector mode)
* **Groups**: Organized hierarchy matching PDF structure

### 5. Local optimization

The plugin optimizes content for Figma (all locally):

* Scales content to appropriate size
* Optimizes image resolution
* Simplifies complex vectors when needed
* Removes invisible elements
* Organizes layer hierarchy

## What gets converted

### ✅ Fully supported

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Text content" icon="font">
    * Text blocks and paragraphs
    * Font families, sizes, and weights
    * Text colors and effects
    * Text positioning and alignment
    * Line heights and spacing
    * Character and paragraph styles
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Images" icon="image">
    * Embedded JPEG images
    * Embedded PNG images (with transparency)
    * Image positioning and scaling
    * Image masks and clipping
    * High-resolution extraction
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vector graphics" icon="shapes">
    * Paths and bezier curves
    * Basic shapes (rectangles, circles, polygons)
    * Strokes and fills
    * Gradients
    * Opacity and blending modes
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Layout" icon="table-cells">
    * Page dimensions
    * Element positioning
    * Z-index/layer order
    * Spacing and margins
    * Alignment
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### ⚠️ Partially supported

* **Complex vectors**: Very complex paths may be simplified
* **Special fonts**: Custom fonts must be installed in Figma
* **Interactive elements**: Forms and buttons convert to static elements
* **Annotations**: Comments and markups may not convert
* **3D effects**: Rendered as 2D representation

### ❌ Not supported

* **Encrypted PDFs**: Password-protected files (must be unlocked first)
* **JavaScript**: Interactive PDF features
* **Video/Audio**: Embedded media files
* **External links**: Hyperlinks are not preserved
* **Form functionality**: Forms convert to visual elements only

## Text handling options

### Editable text

**How it works**:

* Preserves text as Figma text layers
* Matches fonts when available
* Maintains text properties

**Pros**:

* Fully editable in Figma
* Easy to change content
* Searchable text

**Cons**:

* Font must be installed in Figma
* Slight layout shifts possible
* May need font substitution

**Best for**:

* Documents you need to edit
* Presentations
* Text-heavy content

### Outlined text

**How it works**:

* Converts text to vector shapes
* Preserves exact visual appearance
* No font matching required

**Pros**:

* Exact appearance preserved
* No font installation needed
* Consistent across devices

**Cons**:

* Not editable as text
* Larger file size
* Can't change content easily

**Best for**:

* Logos and branding
* Artistic text effects
* When exact appearance is critical

### Flattened text

**How it works**:

* Renders text as part of rasterized images
* Fastest conversion method
* No text extraction

**Pros**:

* Fastest import speed
* Smallest file size
* Always looks identical

**Cons**:

* Not editable at all
* Lower quality when scaled
* Becomes pixelated

**Best for**:

* Quick previews
* Reference materials
* When editing isn't needed

## Resolution options

### Standard (72 DPI)

* **Use case**: Web designs, prototypes, quick conversions
* **File size**: Smallest
* **Import speed**: Fastest
* **Quality**: Good for screen viewing

### High (150 DPI)

* **Use case**: General design work, presentations
* **File size**: Medium
* **Import speed**: Moderate
* **Quality**: High quality for most purposes

### Print (300 DPI)

* **Use case**: Print materials, high-fidelity designs
* **File size**: Largest
* **Import speed**: Slowest
* **Quality**: Highest, suitable for print

<Tip>
  Match the DPI to your end use. Using 300 DPI for web designs wastes time and space.
</Tip>

## Quality optimization

### High-fidelity conversion

We optimize for:

* **Layout accuracy**: Pages match PDF within 1-2px
* **Font matching**: Uses same fonts when available
* **Color precision**: Exact RGB/CMYK conversion
* **Image quality**: High-resolution extraction
* **Vector quality**: Precise path conversion

### Performance considerations

* **File size**: Complex PDFs create larger Figma files
* **Layer count**: Multi-element pages may have hundreds of layers
* **Processing time**:
  * Simple pages: 5-10 seconds
  * Complex pages: 20-30 seconds
  * High DPI: 2-3x longer processing

<Note>
  For very complex PDFs, consider importing pages in smaller batches to maintain performance.
</Note>

## Best practices

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Choose appropriate DPI" icon="gauge">
    Match resolution to your needs. Higher isn't always better — it just creates larger files.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Handle fonts properly" icon="font">
    For editable text, ensure fonts are installed in Figma. Otherwise, use outlined text.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Batch import pages" icon="layer-group">
    Import 10-20 pages at a time for better performance and organization.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Organize after import" icon="folder-tree">
    Clean up and organize layers in Figma after conversion for better workflow.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Technical details

### Supported PDF versions

* PDF 1.0 through 2.0
* PDF/A (archival format)
* PDF/X (print production)

### File size limits

* **Maximum PDF size**: 50MB
* **Recommended size**: Under 20MB
* **Large files**: Split into multiple PDFs first

### Supported content

* Vector graphics
* Raster images (JPEG, PNG, TIFF)
* Embedded fonts
* ICC color profiles
* Transparency
* Gradients and patterns

### Limitations

* Encrypted PDFs must be unlocked first
* Very large pages (>200 inches) may be scaled
* Some specialty fonts may not render correctly
* Complex transparency effects may be simplified

## Next steps

<Card title="Explore features" icon="star" href="/pdf-to-design/features" horizontal>
  Learn about all available features and capabilities
</Card>